Yankee Haberdashers

Roger Maris was bubbly. Mickey Mantle got so carried away that he grabbed a pair of shears and led an assault on Roger's necktie. Agent Frank Scott, who collects his 10% from each of the ballplayers, was beside himself with pride. "This is the biggest deal I have ever signed," crowed Scott. "To the best of my knowledge, it is the biggest such deal ever made." The deal: endorsement by the Yankee sluggers of a new line of men's and boys' clothing, named Mantle-Maris Wear. The payoff: a $45,000-a-year guarantee for each man for the next three years and a percentage of the sales.

Next day, when he breezed into the Yankee office for a contract chat with General Manager Roy Hamey, perennial Holdout Mantle was the picture of noblesse oblige. He signed without protest for $82,000--the second highest salary in Yankee history (topped only by Joe DiMaggio's $100,000) and a $10,000 boost over his 1961 earnings. Then he sparred pleasantly with newsmen. Would he try to cut down on strike-outs (112 in 1961) next season? "That's been my goal for six straight years," said Mantle. "I haven't done much about it so far, so I'm gonna forget about it now." Last season, a reporter recalled, Mantle had promised to help Yankee Manager Ralph Houk win a pennant in his rookie year. What about Houk's second year? Answered Mantle: "He's on his own now." Did Mantle mind batting fourth in the Yankee order, behind Maris? "It's a little tough behind a guy who hits 61 homers," said Mickey. "But any place in the Yankee line-up is a good place to hit."

After Mantle had made his deal with the Yankees, Roger Maris slipped quietly into Hamey's office for some business banter of his own. Maris, who signed his first Yankee contract two years ago for $18,000, demanded $75,000 for 1962. When Hamey suggested that $55,000 ought to pay the taxes on Roger's offseason earnings Maris decided to go back home to Ray town, Mo. and mull the whole matter over.

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